Flue gas emissions reduction technology

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides a method of treating flue gas that has one or more components. The method comprises passing a solution through both a magnetic field and an electric field to form an activated solution. The method also comprises contacting the activated solution with the flue gas so that the one or more components of the flue gas are at least partially absorbed by the activated solution to form a residue solution.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems of reducinggreenhouse gases, such as, but not limited to, CO₂, CO, NO, NO_(x) andSO_(x), from flue gases.

BACKGROUND

Issues of greenhouse gas emissions are becoming an ever increasingproblem. The main human contributor to this issue is the uncheckedemission of greenhouse gases from power stations, refineries, industrialpower and heat generation systems, shipping, cement factories and Kilns,waste incinerators and any other industrial systems or processes forwhich greenhouse gasses are emitted (collectively referred to flue gasemissions systems or processes). There is a growing demand for powereverywhere and over 60% of the world's power is generated by thermalpower stations such as fossil fuel (e.g. coal)-fired power stations.This figure is unlikely to change significantly over the next 20 yearsbecause fossil fuels are cheap, plentiful and the technology to derivepower from it is well established.

Ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in particular CO₂ emissions,include the use of nuclear power. Nuclear power does not generate CO₂,but there are still many issues associated with storing nuclear wastewhich prevents it from being widely used. Carbon sequestration isanother technique being investigated as a way of reducing or capturingCO₂ emitted from fossil fuel-fired power stations from entering into theatmosphere.

However, carbon sequestration is very expensive and finite in capacity.It is not always scalable and as such can generally only be targeted atmid to large scale CO₂ producers, for example power plants that emit25,000 tonnes of CO₂ p.a. or more. This leaves a number large of smallerscale CO₂ producers untouched and/or unregulated.

Further, flue gas ‘scrubbing’ with lime or limestone based reagents toremove SO₂ or HCl from flue gases are already well-known but they havelittle effect on NO_(x) gases or even CO₂ which is seen as the mainglobal warming culprit.

Given the global consumption of energy is increasing, there will a needfor alternatives to help reduce CO₂ emissions.

It is to be understood that, if any prior is referred to herein, suchreference does not constitute an admission that it forms a part of thecommon general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a method of treating flue gas that has one or morecomponents, the method comprising: passing a solution through both amagnetic field and an electric field to form an activated solution, andcontacting the activated solution with the flue gas so that the one ormore components of the flue gas are at least partially absorbed by theactivated solution to form a residue solution.

Without being bound by theory, it is thought that activating thesolution, such as water, helps to increase the solubility of solutessuch as ions in the solution. For example, for sparingly solubleminerals such as calcite, it is thought that the presence of a magneticfield and an electric field helps to disorder hydrated CaCO₃ aggregates,forming liquid emulsions to convert them into different prenucleationclusters and hence different structures of crystallization. This helpsto increase the number of crystal edges and corners (i.e. the surfacearea of the aggregates increases) which in turn helps to increase thedissociation and solubility. This means that the number of ions presentin solution may increase, which may lead to an increase in reactivity ofthe activated solution with flue gas. When the solutes are ions,activation may help to increase the hydration radius of each ion andkeep each ion in solution for longer. This may help to increase theability of components of the flue gas such as CO₂ to be converted orabsorbed by the activated solution e.g. be solubilised to form CO₃ ²⁻.Put another way, the partitioning coefficient of the components thatcomprise flue gas between the gas phase and aqueous phase is shiftedtowards the aqueous phase. If carbon particulates are present in theflue gas, they can aggregate in the residue solution. If the aggregatesare larger than 100 nm, they can begin to refract light and change thecolour of the water. The activated solution may react with one or morecomponents of the flue gas. For example, the activated solution may helpto reduce CO₂ into carbon and oxygen and/or convert CO₂ into CO₃ ²⁻which may then further react with ions to form insoluble minerals.

The term “absorb” is to be interpreted broadly to include interactionwith the activated solution with the flue gas components e.g. absorptionof flue gas components as well as conversion of flue gas components intoother forms e.g. CO₂ into CO₃ ²⁻. For the conversion to occur, the fluegas components generally need to be absorbed before conversion can takeplace.

In an embodiment, the magnetic field may be provided from a magneticcoil. The coil may generate a magnetic flux density of between 0.0002 nTto 10 T, and every other sub range between. For example, the coil maygenerate a magnetic flux density of between about 1 mT to 1 T, about0.01 μT to 1 T, about 0.01 μT to 1 mT, about 1 μT to 200 μT, and about0.01 μT to 200 μT. In some embodiments, flux density greater than 10 Tmay be used. In some embodiments, the magnetic field may be provided bythe earth's magnetic field. The skilled person would understand that theflux density can be expressed in other units such as Webers (Wb) per m²and Gauss (G).

In an embodiment, the electric field is in the form of an oscillatingsinusoidal waveform generated at a first antenna or dipole and anoscillating sinusoidal waveform generated second antenna or dipole. Thesinusoidal waveform generated at the first antenna or dipole may be 180°out of phase with the sinusoidal waveform generated at the secondantenna or dipole. The sinusoidal waveform may be provided as a squarewaveform in some embodiments. The first and the second antenna or dipolemay be associated with an electric field generator. The magnetic fieldmay exist between the first antenna or dipole and the second antenna ordipole. A frequency of the oscillating electric field may range from 0.3Hz to 2,000 THz and every other sub range between, for example, 0.3 Hzto 100 MHz, 0.3 Hz to 1 MHz, 0.3 Hz to 500 kHz, 0.3 Hz to 300 kHz, and0.3 Hz to 100 kHz.

In an embodiment, contacting the activated solution with the flue gasmay comprise injecting the activated solution into the flue gas as avapour and/or mist. The vapour may comprise mist. The activated solutionmay be injected into the flue gas using an aerosol generator. Thesolution may be aqueous-based. The solution may be water. The water maycontain additives to assist in adsorption and/or conversion of the fluegas components. The additives may include salt(s) or other solutes. Thewater may be seawater. In some embodiments, the solution is in the formof steam, and the steam is activated prior to contact with the flue gas.Put another way, the solution is converted to steam before it isactivated. In some other embodiments, the solution is first activatedand then converted to steam, where the activated steam is then contactedwith the flue gas.

In an embodiment, the method may comprise collecting the residuesolution. The at least partially absorbed one or more components of theflue gas may be extracted from the residue solution. For example, carbonparticulates may be collected and sent for further processing in theproduction of carbon-based materials such as carbon nanotubes. Whenparticulates are absorbed by the activated solution, they may besuspended rather than absorbed and converted into other forms.Alternatively, the recovered carbon particulates may be used as afeedstock for a thermal power station.

In an embodiment, the method may be continuously operated. However, insome embodiments the method may be operated in a cyclical manner, suchas in an on-off manner. The method may respond to increases in flue gasemissions by increasing a rate at which the activated solution iscontacted with the flue gas.

Also disclosed is a system for treating flue gas that has one or morecomponents, comprising: a conduit that is configured to deliver asolution to flue gas; an electric field generator being associated withthe solution being delivered to the flue gas, the electric fieldgenerator being configured to generate an electric field; a magneticfield associated with the solution being delivered to the flue gas;wherein the system is configured so that the solution being delivered tothe flue gas is activated by the electric field and magnetic field toform an activated solution, the activated solution being passablethrough the opening to contact the flue gas to at least partially absorbone or more of the components of the flue gas to form a residuesolution.

The magnetic field may be provided by a magnetic generator that isconfigured to generate a magnetic field. In some embodiments themagnetic field is provided by the earth's magnetic field. In anembodiment, the magnetic field generator may be a magnetic coil that isconfigured to generate a magnetic field between 0.0002 μT to 10 T, andevery other sub range between. For example, the coil may generate amagnetic flux density of between about 1 mT to 1 T, about 0.01 μT to 1T, about 0.01 μT to 1 mT, and about 0.01 μT to 200 μT. A magnetic fluxgreater than 10 T may be used. In an embodiment, the electric fieldgenerator may have a first antenna or dipole and a second antenna ordipole for generating an oscillating sinusoidal waveform therebetween.In an embodiment, the magnetic field generator may be positioned betweenthe first antenna or dipole and the second antenna or dipole. This mayhelp to improve the efficiency of activating the solution.

In an embodiment, a frequency of the oscillating electric field mayrange from 0.3 Hz to 2,000 kTHz, and every other sub range between, forexample, 0.3 Hz to 100 MHz, 0.3 Hz to 1 MHz, 0.3 Hz to 500 kHz, 0.3. Hzto 300 kHz, and 0.3 Hz to 100 kHz. In an embodiment, the opening may bean apparatus for generating a vapour and/or mist of activated solutionin the flue gas. For example, the apparatus may be a nozzle thatgenerates a fine mist.

The electric field generator and the magnetic field generator may beformed in a single device. For example, the device may be that asdescribed in US2014/0374236. In an embodiment, the device comprises twoantennae, an enclosure for holding a liquid including a solvent and asolute, a generator operatively connected to the two antennae togenerate an oscillating voltage in each antenna, wherein each voltage inout of phase with the other to create an oscillating electric-field, andthe liquid in the enclosure being subjected to the electric-field in thepresence of a magnetic field to change the chemical and/or physicalproperties of the solute, without the liquid contacting the twoantennae. The solution may be activated using the electric field andmagnetic field as described in US2014/0374236.

In an embodiment, the system may further comprise a collection port forcollecting the residue solution. The collection port may allow the atleast partially absorbed one or more components of the flue gas to becollected and further refined. In an embodiment, the system may beconfigured to continuously treat flue gas.

In an embodiment, the electric field generator and the magnetic fieldgenerator may be positioned on an outside of the conduit, and thesolution may be configured to pass on an inside of the conduit. Sincesome thermal power stations already have conduits e.g. for scrubbersystems, the electric field generator and the magnetic field generatormay be easily installed to existing thermal power stations.

In an embodiment, the system may further comprise a pump for pumping theactivated solution through the conduit.

The method and system may be used in a fossil-fuel, such as coal-fired,power station. In these embodiments, the solution may be activated priorto entry into a boiler, which would generate activated steam, which canthen be contacted with flue gas. Alternatively, the system may be fitteddirectly to one or more flue stacks. In this way, the disclosure alsoprovides a flue fitted with the system as set forth above. More than onesystem may be fitted to the flue.

Also disclosed is a system as set forth above used to perform the methodas set forth above.

The electric field generator and magnetic field generator may beinstalled by relatively low technology installers without the need, inmost cases, for a fossil fueled-fired power plant having to shut down.The installation may be similar to the installation of a waterreticulation system. The power requirement to operate the system andmethod as set forth above may be calculated for any operation and may bebased on the size of the pump and reticulation combination as requiredfor the designated task.

The power required to operate the system and method as set forth abovemay be minimal and may be sourced from a suitable solar panel/windgenerator and battery combination at a low voltage if required. Standardgrid or generator power can be used to power the reticulation of thewater—power calculations may be available once the technical details ofthe plant and emissions are known such as unit size, stack dimensions,gas composition including volume and temperature etc.

The system and method as set forth above may be scalable, where thelarger the flue and amount of flue gas, the larger the amount ofactivated water required.

The term flue gas is used generally to include gas emissions, including,but not limited to, CO, CO₂, SO₂, NO and NO_(x), produced fromcombustion of a combustible fuel. For example, the method or system maybe used to treat greenhouse gas emissions from sources such as powerstations, refineries, industrial power and heat generation systems,shipping and waste incinerators, cement factories, lime factories,kilns, commercial and pleasure craft. Therefore, the method and systemas set forth above may be used to treat flue gas in a variety ofapplications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a system for treating flue gas.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a system for treating flue gas.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a device used for treating flue gas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a system 10 for treating a flue gas is shown in FIG. 1.A solution, in the form of water 11, is held in reservoir 12 and is influid communication with conduit 14. A pump 16 is connected to conduit14 to pump water from the reservoir 12 through a magnetic fieldgenerator 18 and an electric field generator 20. The magnetic fieldgenerator 18 and electric field generator 20 are positioned around anexterior surface of the conduit 14 so that they are coaxially arrangedwith the conduit 14. The conduit 14 passes first through magnetic fieldgenerator 18 and then the electric field generator 20, but in otherembodiments this order is reversed, or alternatively, the magnetic fieldgenerator 18 and an electric field generator 20 are provided in the samedevice. In one embodiment, the magnetic field generator 18 is positionedbetween first and second antenna of the electric field generator 20. Insome embodiments, more than two antennas are used. Alternatively, someembodiments use one or more antennae. The magnetic field generator 20 isa magnetic coil that is configured to generate a magnetic flux densityof between 0.0002 μT to 10 T. The electric field generator is configuredto generate an oscillating frequency from about 0.3 Hz to 2,000 kTHz.Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the electric field generator isconfigured to generate an oscillating sinusoidal waveform generated at afirst antenna or dipole and a second antenna or dipole, where thesinusoidal waveform generated at the first antenna is 180° out of phasewith the sinusoidal waveform generated at the second antenna.

In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator 18 is not required asthe system 10 can rely on background magnetic fields, such as theearth's magnetic field. The water can be salt water, or at least besaltier than drinking water. In some embodiments, potable e.g. tap wateris used in system 10.

The conduit 14 extends from electric field generator 20 into secondaryconduit 22. A plurality of openings in the form of misting nozzles 26are in fluid communication with the secondary conduit 22. The mistingnozzles 26 pass through a wall of a flue 24 so that they are in contactwith an internal volume 25 of the flue 24. In use of the system 10,water is passed, through activation of the pump 16, through the magneticfield generator 18 and an electric field generator 20 to activate thewater. This activated water is then delivered into the internal volume25 as a fine mist so that it can contact flue gas, as represented byarrow 28, passing through the internal volume. The specific arrangementof the flue 24, misting nozzles 26, conduit 14 and secondary conduit 22in FIG. 1 is exemplary only and can take on many other forms. Forexample, in some embodiments misting nozzles 26 are attached to conduit14 and secondary conduit 22 is not used. In other embodiments, there aremore or less than four misting nozzles. In other embodiments, themisting nozzles are provided as separate groups to treat separatesections of the flue 24. In other embodiments, more than one system 10is fitted to the flue 24 to treat flue gas 28. The flue gas 28 can beunder pressure to drive it through the flue or a fan or pump can be usedto drive the flow of the flue gas 28.

Once the fine mist of activated water contacts the flue gas 28,components of the flue gas such as particulate carbon, CO₂, CO, NO,NO_(x), and SO_(x) are absorbed by the activated mist to form residuemist which then condenses into residue water. In use of the system 10, avolume of activated mist will be delivered to the internal volume 25,with the total volume being dependent on the dose rate of activatedwater and the type of flue gas to be treated (e.g. the expectedamount(s) of contaminates to be treated by the activated mist). Toprevent flooding of the flue 24, a tap 30 is provided to drain theresidue water. The tap 30 in some embodiments is provided as a sump toallow residue water to collect but prevent flue gas 28 from escaping theflue 24. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the residue water is then removedand components in the residue solution, such as particulate carbon, arethen able to be extracted and treated and/or reused.

In some embodiments the water 11 is delivered via gravity, which mayeliminate the requirement for pump 16. Instead, a valve of similar canbe used to control a flow rate of the water through conduit 14. Thewater 11 can be continuously pumped through the magnetic field generator18 and electric field generator 20 to treat the flue gas 28, or a pulsedpumping method may be used.

In an embodiment (not shown), the activated water can be passed througha boiler associated with a power station after the magnetic fieldgenerator 18 (if provided) and electric field generator 20. Thesecondary conduit 22 or similar is positioned downstream of the boilerand the flue 24 is associated with the boiler.

In an embodiment, a device 200 is used to provide the magnetic field andelectric field, as shown in FIG. 3. A waveform supplied to the magneticfield (EM) generator 206 of the device 200 is generated by a waveduplicator and phase generator 204, which also supplies the waveform tothe electric field generator 208 (FIG. 3.). The input to the waveduplicator and phase generator 204 is supplied by a wave generator withtunable frequency output module 202. The arrangement of the device 200helps to ensure that the frequency of the magnetic field coil waveformis the same as the frequency of the antennae waveform. This arrangementcan also help to ensure that the phase of the magnetic field coil is thesame as that of one of the antennae. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, themagnetic coils associated with the magnetic field generator arepositioned between the antennae of the electric field generator.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a system 100 for treating flue gas.In system 100, the flue gas is configured to travel through flue 112.Flue 112 has a smoke inlet 114 that allows ingress of flue gas into flue112. In use, the smoke inlet 114 would be connected to an exhaust outletfor a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is used to combust acombustible fuel. Therefore, exhaust from the combustion chamber isfunnelled out of the outlet and into smoke inlet 114. The termcombustion chamber is used broadly to include combustion chambers frompower stations, refineries, industrial power and heat generationsystems, shipping and waste incinerators, cement factories, limefactories, kilns, commercial and pleasure craft.

Flue 112 has an extraction fan 116 to assist in pumping flue gas throughflue 112. Extraction fan 116 is not required in all embodiments to pumpflue gas through flue 112. The flue 112 also has a collection port inthe form of sump 118 to act as residual capture points for collectingresidue solution. The general U-shape of flue 112 allows residuesolution to pool in the sump 118 without restricting flow of the fluegas through flue 112.

The flue 112 has a primary washing chamber 112 a and a secondary washingchamber 112 b. However, there can be any number of washing chambers, andthe total number of washing chambers will be dependent on the amount andtype of flue gas to be treated.

A viewing window 124 is positioned upstream of fan 116 to allow visualinspection of the treated flue gas and to allow for sensors (not shown)to monitor the composition of the flue gas in the presence of theactivated mist. In some embodiments, the sensors are in communicationwith a pump used to pump water through pipe 120. For example, if thesensor detects that the level(s) of components in the flue gaspost-treatment are above a threshold value, the pump can be instructedvia programmable computer logic (PLC) to increase the pumping rate toincrease the rate of activated vapour and/or mist formation to increasethe rate of absorption of flue gas components.

A conduit in the form of pipe 120 is positioned around flue 112. One endof pipe 120 is in communication with a reservoir that can hold a volumeof solution such as water (not shown). Pipe 120 has openings in the formof misting nozzles 122. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the system has fourmisting nozzles placed along a length of flue 112, but other embodimenthave more or less than four misting nozzles. The number of mistingnozzles depends on the size of the flue 112 and the amount of flue gasto be treated. Water traveling through pipe 120 exits the mistingnozzles to form a mist of water in the flue 112, where the mist of watercontacts any flue gas that is traveling through flue 112. In someembodiments, the openings are in the form that provides a vapour inaddition to or in place of mist.

Prior to forming a mist of water, the water is passed through anelectric field and a magnetic field to form an activated solution (notshown). In this way, the mist generated from the activated water can beconsidered an activated mist. The electric field is generated from anelectric field generator and the magnetic field is generated from amagnetic field generator (not shown), or in some embodiments is providedas the earth's magnetic field. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the solutionis activated using an electric field and magnetic field as described inUS2014/0374236. In some embodiments the water is activated as it ispassed through pipe 112 prior to exiting misting nozzles 122. Thisallows water to be continually activated as needed. However, in someembodiments the water is activated in bulk, stored in the reservoir, andthen pumped through pipe 120. In these embodiments, the water can beactivated e.g. off-site and transported to the reservoir, or the watercan be activated once in the reservoir.

The activated mist contacts the flue gas in use, which allows componentsof the flue gas such as particulate carbon, CO₂, CO, NO, NO_(x), andSO_(x) to be absorbed by the activated mist to form residue mist. Thedroplets of residue mist are then able to pool into sump 118 to form aresidue solution. The residue solution is then removed and components inthe residue solution, such as particulate carbon, are then able to beextracted and reused.

EXAMPLES

System

A stainless steel drum having a 525 cm diameter×460 cm height was fittedwith a brazier and an air blower to aid combustion. A length of 125 mmflexible aluminium ducting was used to direct the flue gas from thecombustion into the flue.

The flue similar to that described in FIG. 2 comprised one 100 mm×1000mm chamber fitted with three misting sprays and one 100 mm×850 mm washchamber fitted with a single misting spray. A U-bend configurationresidual capture unit was configured below each washing chamber. Thishad the dual purpose of sealing the washing chamber from the atmosphereand providing a point from where a sample of used fluid could be drawnfor analysis. The downstream end of the U-bend was vented to theatmosphere at a level that retained the seal to the washing chamber at aconstant level while allowing overflow residual fluid to be collectedfor further analysis if necessary. This configuration automaticallyprevented the washing chamber from becoming flooded irrespective of thevolume of fluid delivered by the spray nozzles.

The sampling chamber was a 100 mm×1300 mm tube fitted with a clearobservation window and a sampling port 1150 mm from the fourth spraynozzle. The clear window was necessary to monitor and avoid fouling of aUnigas 3000+ probe and the position of the sample port satisfied therequirements for a thoroughly mixed sample while reducing the likelihoodof the analyser probe becoming contaminated.

A 12 volt electrical circuit was designed to provide power to a 200 psipump, 100 watt air blower and a rheostat controlled extraction fan whichwas fitted at the exhaust end of the apparatus to ensure positive flowthrough the system.

Tap water was treated with an electric field and magnetic field asdescribed in US2014/0374236.

A new calibrated Unigas 3000+ Flue Gas Analyser configured to measureO₂, CO₂, CO, SO₂, NO and NO_(x) was utilised for gas analysis.

Black Coal

1 kg of crushed black coal was ignited in the stainless steel burnerand, with the assistance of a blown air source, was taken to over 385°C. whereupon the smoke effluent became relatively clear. This output wasducted through the flue and analysed using the Unigas 3000+ Flue GasAnalyser immediately prior to activating the spraying of the activatedwater. This reading was labelled the “Control Coal Smoke” sample.

The activated water was then pumped to the first wash chamber subjectingthe burner output (smoke effluent) to the micro mist produced by threeof the misting nozzles. The used residual fluid was collected in thefirst residual capture unit for further analysis. The washed smokeeffluent flowed into the second wash chamber where it was subjected tothe micro mist from the fourth spray nozzle. The residual from thischamber was collected in the second residual capture unit for possiblefurther analysis.

The smoke effluent then entered the sampling chamber and was analysedvia the Unigas 3000+ probe at the same port. This reading was labelled“Treated Coal Smoke” sample. The processed smoke effluent was finallyreleased into the atmosphere through the extraction fan.

Gas sampling and analysis was conducted using the Unigas 3000+ Flue GasAnalyser. The data sought was a comparison between treated and raw(control) samples. To ensure that the sample smoke effluent propertiesremained uniform, a short time span between taking the samples was aprime requirement. The ability of the Unigas 3000+ to self-calibrate andcontinually analyse allowed the samples to be acquired within minutes ofeach other.

Consequently the data proved to be sufficiently accurate to providereliable results for the gases targeted by these experiments.

Although the smoke effluent output from the burner appeared to berelatively clear (Ringleman Standard 1 to 2), the residual sample takenfrom the first (three spray) wash chamber was unexpectedly dark incomparison with the source water. This indicates that the activatedwater is actually removing carbon (and particulates) from the effluent.The residual sample from the second wash chamber was also dark, eventhough the temperature of the second wash chamber was considerably lower(approaching ambient) than the smoke effluent gases in the firstchamber. This indicates that although the spray cools the smokeeffluent, the effect of the activated treatment is not temperaturedependent.

An experiment was also completed to identify the effects of usingunactivated (i.e. regular tap) water on the flue gas from Black coal.The unactrivated water cooled the flue gases similarly to the activatedwater and also captured some particulates, but there was no significantpercentage change to the composition of the gases in the effluent.

These results indicate that the presence of a magnetic and electricfield helps to solubilise aggregate, particulate, mineralogical andionic matter that can react with the flue gas. For example, thesolubility of calcite may increase which would increases the Ca²⁺ andCO₃ ²⁻ concentration in solution. Increases in CO₃ ²⁻ helps insolubilising CO₂ in solution due to the higher pH and greater ability toform species such as H₂CO₃, which can dissociate to form bicarbonatewhich can then form precipitates such as calcium bicarbonates. Thiseffectively shifts the partitioning coefficient of CO₂ between the gasphase and aqueous phase towards the aqueous phase. Although calcium isused as an example, many other mineralogical species, such as thosefound in scale in aqueous plumbing, can be solubilised and react withflue gas such as CO₂.

The activated water may also help to shift the partitioning coefficientfor other gases such as NO, NO_(x) and SO₂ towards the aqueous phase forsimilar reasons presented above.

The increase in the percentage of O₂ can be explained by the outgassingof O₂ dissolved in the activated water. Further, removal of CO₂ from theflue gas to form treated flue gas changes the composition of the treatedflue gas, and this may change the partial pressures of each gas thatmakes up the treated flue gas. If the partial pressure of oxygenincreases, then this would promote outgassing of O₂ dissolved in theactivated water. Further, the high surface area of the activated mistand/or vapour in the flue helps to increase the amount of oxygen that isable to outgas from the activated mist and/or vapour. However, in someembodiments, the observed increase in O₂ is a result of removal of gasessuch as CO₂ and CO from the flue gas, which mean the same amount of O₂now occupies a greater proportion of the resulting treated flue gas.

It should be appreciated that the specific mechanism by which the CO₂and other gases are removed from the flue gas when treated by theactivated water may vary depending on the specific composition of theflue gas and what solutes are present in the activated water.

TABLE 1 results from black coal Gas Control With activated PercentageMeasured Smoke water Change O₂ 20.7% 21.1%   +1.93% CO₂ 0.30% 0.00%−100.00% CO 0.20% 0.00% −100.00% NO(ppm) 13 6  −53.85% NO_(x)(ppm) 13 6 −53.85% SO₂(ppm) 10 0 −100.00%

Diesel Fuel

Considerable difficulty was expected in obtaining control smoke data dueto the high particulate content of diesel smoke rapidly obstructing theUnigas 3000+ filter. In the event, the filter, although very dirty, didnot choke completely and meaningful results were obtained.

Nevertheless, these results are not considered definitive andimprovements on the % change figures are anticipated with superiormeasuring equipment.

TABLE 2 results from Diesel Fuel Gas Control With activated PercentageMeasured Smoke water Change O₂ 17.9% 20.7%  +15.64% CO₂ 2.20% 0.20% −90.91% CO 0.08% 0.00% −100.00% NO(ppm)  4  0 −100.00% NO_(x)(ppm)  5 0 −100.00% SO₂(ppm) 70 11  −84.29%

Brown Coal

The experiment with Brown coal followed the same process as the Blackcoal, but the smoke output was not as transparent. This may have to dowith the higher water content of the fuel, so some of the perceivedsmoke may have actually been steam.

TABLE 3 results from Brown Coal Gas Control With activated PercentageMeasured Smoke water Change O₂ 17.50% 20.7%  +18.29% CO₂  2.50% 0.20% −88.00% CO  0.08% 0.00% −100.00% NO(ppm) 16 3  −81.25% NO_(x)(ppm) 19 4 −78.95% SO₂(ppm) 16 8  −50.00%

Bunker Oil

The Bunker oil would not ignite at the ambient temperature, so it had tobe heated using 5 traditional paraffin fire-lighters before it could beignited. This is consistent with reports from shipping (where this is amajor fuel source) where they have to keep this fuel above 130 DegreesC. for it to become combustible.

Once this was done, it burned very well but with a very dark (highsoot/particulate) smoke output, which resulted in fouling the Unigas3000+ filters soon after meaningful readings were obtained. Subsequentreadings were considered suspect due to the evident fouling.

TABLE 4 results from Bunker oil Gas Control With activated PercentageMeasured Smoke water Change O₂ 17.50% 20.7% +18.29% CO₂  2.50% 0.30%−88.00% CO  0.08% 0.01% −87.50% NO(ppm)  31 14 −54.84% NO_(x)(ppm)  3214 −56.25% SO₂(ppm) 351 60 −82.91%

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, exceptwhere the context requires otherwise due to express language ornecessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. tospecify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of themethod and system.

1.-25. (canceled)
 26. A system for treating flue gas that has one ormore components, comprising: a conduit having an inner passage that isconfigured to deliver a solution to flue gas; an electric fieldgenerator a first antenna or dipole and a second antenna or dipole forgenerating the electric field therebetween, the first antenna or dipoleand the second antenna or dipole being positioned on an outside surfaceof the conduit so as to not directly contact the solution passingthrough the inside of the conduit; a magnetic field generator comprisinga magnetic field coil that is positioned on the outside of the conduitand positioned between the first antenna or dipole and the secondantenna or dipole so as to not directly contact the solution passingthrough the inside of the conduit, the magnetic field generatorconfigured to generate a magnetic field; wherein the system isconfigured so that the solution that is passed through the conduit andis delivered to the flue gas is activated by the electric field andmagnetic field to form an activated solution, the activated solutionbeing passable through an opening of the conduit to contact the flue gasto at least partially absorb one or more of the components of the fluegas to form a residue solution.
 27. A system as claimed in claim 26,wherein the magnetic field generator is a magnetic coil that isconfigured to generate a magnetic flux density of between 0.01 μT to 1mT.
 28. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the electric fieldgenerator is configured to generate an oscillating sinusoidal waveformbetween the first antenna or dipole and the second antenna or dipole.29. A system as claimed in claim 28, wherein a frequency of theoscillating electric field ranges from 0.3 Hz to 100 MHz.
 30. A systemas claimed in claim 26, wherein the opening is an apparatus forgenerating a vapour and/or mist of activated solution in the flue gas.31. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the system furthercomprises a collection port for collecting the residue solution.
 32. Asystem as claimed in claim 26, wherein the system is configured tocontinuously treat flue gas.
 33. A system as claimed in claim 26,further comprising a pump for pumping the activated solution through theconduit.
 34. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the electric fieldgenerator and magnetic field generator are positioned on an upstreamside of a boiler and the opening of the conduit is positioned on adownstream side of the boiler.
 35. A flue fitted with the system ofclaim 26.